Monthly Archives: September 2015

Truth

The Way

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On Sunday, Pastor Steve taught on how we get to Heaven. He explained that we live in an age of new tolerance; no one way is wrong. This is a lie of the enemy. Did you know that only 20% of those ages 18-34 believe in absolute truth? That means that 80% of that age group is living life based on doing whatever feels good or sounds good at the time. This explains not only the tolerance this group exhibits towards others, but also the lack of respect for authority that can be seen all over the news these days.

In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” He didn’t say he was one way, one truth, and one life. Scripture is filled with warnings of what is to come. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 states, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine…they will turn their ears away from truth and turn aside to myths.” Proverbs 4:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

Our world is filled with lies from the enemy. It is time we stand up and speak truth, unafraid of how others will see us or what they will think. A time is coming when we will all be face to face with our creator and the last thing we want anyone to hear is, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.” (Matthew 7:23)

Jesus loves each and every one of his children and we all all children of God. You can spend eternity in Heaven. All you have to do is invite God to come into your heart. He will then teach you through his word and reveal to you all the lies the enemy has led you to believe.

Personal Growth, Truth

Jealousy

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jealousy

We have all been there. Those moments when we are perfectly secure until we compare ourselves to someone else. This happens to me most often in regards to my appearance. I decide on an outfit for the day. I look in the mirror and feel confident, sometimes even beautiful. I leave the house and don’t give it a second thought until it happens. Someone crosses my path that has amazing clothes, perfect hair and beauty. For a split second I want what she has. I think to myself…if only I could afford to go on a shopping spree and buy me something new.

Can you relate? For you it may not be apparel that sets you off. It could be a newer model car you long for, a bigger house than the one you currently live in, or a higher paying job. Regardless of what tugs at you, unhappiness and resentment can quickly take root. And if we choose to remain there, focused on whatever caught our attention, Satan will use that root to feed our hearts with anger and bitterness. That anger and bitterness then leads to jealousy and once jealousy creeps into our hearts, Satan has won the battle he was fighting so hard to win.

But don’t lose hope! God is way bigger than Satan and has the power to heal any heart issue. All we have to do is let Him in. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. When we go to God, ask for help, and spend time in his word, becoming rooted in Him, he will begin a work in us that will produce good fruit.

Galatians 5:19-26 says, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

As long as we live in the Spirit, letting Him control our thoughts and our actions, we will live a holy life. But as soon as we rely on our own strength, we foolishly give the enemy direct access to our hearts.

I have to remind myself everyday that the enemy is out to steal, kill, and destroy everything that represents Christ living in me. That knowledge gives me the ability to recognize when my mind is leading me down a dark and dangerous path and to stop and turn away from the evil one and towards the One who gives life, Jesus Christ.

My Journey, Personal Growth

Until…

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Three weeks ago I embarked on a journey towards inner healing. Before then I had no concept of what that even meant, but what I did know was I had many invisible scars affecting the present. These invisible scars are the wounds that surface in situations when I feel threatened and or fearful. 

When we are hurt on a deep emotional level, many times those memories are too painful to handle so they are buried deep in our souls until something triggers them. 

I am now in the muck of painful memories surfacing that I never knew existed and I still can’t wrap my mind around how we don’t remember things from the past that traumatized us. I am told it is a defense mechanism to protect but what good is that protection if the effects of the trauma still cause us pain? And what’s worse is not knowing where that pain or trigger stems from. 

I have avoided trying to remember due to a fear of knowing. Will knowing cause more emotional damage? Will it change me for better or worse? Those questions haunt me but God is with me and he is my refuge and my strength. He led me here and I choose to let him cut deep into my soul and release every hidden hurt that affects me in negative ways. 

At this moment I am hurt and afraid and all I have holding me together is a promise from a man whom I have never seen that has shown me a love unlike anything I could ever imagine. So I choose to trust Him until. Until I am healed. Until I am free. Until…